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Feature/General
Back to School on a Budget!
By Frannie Gay
Jul/Aug 2009

Boy with backpackAs one school year comes to a close, the planning for the next year begins. With the struggling economy, we are all tightening the purse strings. It is never too early to start gathering supplies or saving money for future expenses.

Prepare: Make sure to check your child’s report card for a supply list. Start looking for certain items now. Major chain stores often discount pencils, folders and notebooks with cool designs. Check the clearance section or “dollar spot.” Also look for stickers – these can be used to personalize plain folders or book covers.

Create a school expenses jar: Commit to placing a certain amount of money into the jar each week or from each paycheck. Use this money for school expenses only. Keep in mind those extra expenses such as field trips, pictures and yearbooks. You may be able to get a list of projected costs for the next grade level from your child’s school. Many grade levels have “signature” (one that may be overnight or require a charter bus) field trips at their schools. If a trip such as this is planned, ask if you can make payments throughout the school year.

Stick to the list and make a budget: It may be difficult to say no to or explain, but “fancy” items with characters or sparkles should stay in their place at the store. Folders are the necessity – not Hannah Montana folders. Use those stickers you found in the clearance section to make the folders unique. Many school supply lists contain pencil boxes. If you miss out on getting them for fifty cents, send the items to school in a Ziploc bag – and use those stickers to make them fun or funky. The bag keeps everything contained and is cheaper to replace when broken. Avoid those extra things that catch kids’ eyes: plastic pencil sharpeners, grippers or toppers. Those items often become toys in the classroom and end up being confiscated by the teacher. When buying pencils, plain and simple is the best bet. Pencils with designs are often covered in plastic, do not sharpen well and end up being wasteful.

Break the list down into items that are needed immediately, and those that can wait: Clorox wipes, baby wipes and hand sanitizer are some costly items on most supply lists. They are necessary though. Teachers use these items to prevent the spread of germs and keep the room and children clean.

Search and store: Search your home for items that you may already have. Items like rulers, calculators, lunch boxes and book bags do not need to be replaced each year. The prices are steeper than at discount chains, but purchasing a high quality book bag from Northface or L.L. Bean can save you money in the long run. These companies guarantee their products so when a zipper or strap breaks, the backpack can be fixed or replaced.

Take advantage of back to school sales: Buy more than what is required. Chances are your child may need more of something in the middle of the year. Keeping extras on hand prevents you from having to pay full price once school gets underway. Spiral notebooks, binders, pencils and notebook paper are universal supplies. They can be saved and used for years to come.

Dress for less: Yard sales bring amazing deals. Look in the classifieds for sales near you and take advantage of the quarter bargains – you may even find a book bag or lunch box. Goodwill and The Salvation Army are options as well. Clothes are inspected before being placed on sale so you do not have to examine the items as closely yourself. Your income may also qualify you to receive some items for free. Take advantage of all the help you can get. Check out secondhand stores such as Plato’s Closet for your fashion-conscious teens. Such stores carry designer brands in teen styles. Check for “bag sales” where you pay a flat fee for all the items that you can fit into one bag.

Education costs can add up quickly. But with a little planning, school shopping can be affordable. Having new things to wear or use at school is nice, but remember that tight times call for necessities only.

Frannie Gay is a teacher who lives in Athens.


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